Machine for washing drinking vessels



June 1, 1937- R. H. GREER, JR., ET AL MACHINE FOR WASHING DRINKING VESSELS Filed Oct. 27, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Qreer 'Raleigk 1-1.

June 1, 1937- .R. H. GREER. .IRL. ET AL ,2

MACHINE FOR WASHING DRINKING VESSELS I Filed 001;. 27, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I //l Ralei eer ,dri.- John ind Patented June 1, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR WASHING DRINKING VESSELS Raleigh n. Greer, Jr

F. Ohm

John Burgess and Walter e, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors of onesixth to said Greer, one-third to said Ohmc,

one-sixth to Walter J.

McComb and one-third 2Claims.

Our invention relates to machines for washing drinking vessels and particularly to machines for washing drinking glasses. 7

An object of the invention resides in' providing a machine in which the glasses may be washed by meansof sprays and without manual manipulation.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a revoluble rack for supporting the glasses and in further providing fixed sprays past which the rack rotates and by means .of which the glasses are washed.

An object of theinvention resides in providing 1 both hot and. cold water sprays whereby the 15 glasses are first washed in hot water and thereafter washed in cold water.

A feature of the invention resides in-providing intermediate the hot and cold water sprays,

means for gradually reducing the temperature of 2 the glass to prevent cracking of the same due to the application of cold" water thereto.

An object of the invention resides in providing a housing and in disposing said rack partly within and partly without said housing to give access to the same for the purpose of placing the glasses thereon and removing the; glasses from the rack.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a tray and in rotatably supporting said 30 revoluble rack on the tray. An object of the invention resides in arranging the sprays both above and below the rack for the purpose of washing the glasses both upon the interior and exterior thereof.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing the machine with a wall extending upwardly from the trayyand constructed with an opening, the rack being disposed partly within said wall and partly without, whereby access 40 to the same may be had for the purpose of placing the glasses thereon and removing the same from said rack.

An object of the invention resides in constructing the revoluble rack withan opening in the center and in providing a support extending through said opening for supporting the sprays.

A feature of the invention resides in providing conduits for the sprays, said conduits extending through the opening in the rack.

An object of the invention resides in providing a water motor for rotating the rack and in utilizing the discharge from said water motor for cooling 'and washing the glasses.

A feature of the invention resides in constructing said water motor with a vertical shaft, said shaft extendingthrough saidopening and below the rack and in further providing transmission means driven by said shaft for rotating said revoluble rack.

Another object of the invention resides in the 5 specific mechanism for operating the rack.

A feature of the invention resides in running said shaft through the opening in the rack.v

A still further object of the invention resides in providing two conduits, one for cold water and one for hot water, each of said conduits having a valve and in further providing means for simultaneously operating said valves.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter illustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine for washing drinking vessels illustrating an embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1 with portions thereof broken away to illustrate the internal construction of the machine.

Fig. 3 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 3-3 01' Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken on line 4-4of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an inverted sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an elevational sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6. Our invention comprises a housing which we have indicated in its entirety by the reference character A, and in whic the operating mechanism of the invention it installed. The operating mechanism of the invention comprises a revoluble rack B which is driven through a .water motor C. A series of sprays to be later described in detail, spray hot and cold water upon the glasses carried by the rack as the rack is rotated past said sprays. These various parts will now be described in detail.

The housing A consists of a tray 10 circular in form which is constructed with a bottom ll having arim 12 extending upwardly therefrom. The bottom H is preferably; sloping toward the center of the tray where a drain I3 is provided by means of which the water discharged into the housing may be removed from the device. At the outer margin of the bottom II is provided a ledge M which elevates the bottom II 55 5 thereof and which is This ledge may,-

above the surface on which the machine rests. if desired, be forme in con,-

|2 of the said t ay. The a casting or the tinuation of the rim tray l may be constructed as same may be spun suitable manner. The housing A further comprises a circular wall I which is semi-circular in extent and is secured to the rim l2 of tray l0 and extends upwardly therefrom. This wall is preferably attached to the said rim through small bolts |5 which pass through suitable openings in both the said rim and wall. A shoulderportion as indicated at flange extends downwardly below the closure I inner and outer rings 21 and shafts 35 secured to- |8 as indicated at 2| to form a lip by means of which the closure may be secured to the wall l5. This is accomplished through bolts 22 which pass jointly through said wall and lip the same as-bolts l6. By. means of the particular construction described, the housing A is provided at the front thereof with an opening 23 through which access may be had to the interior of the housing and to the glasses placed upon the rack B mounted therein.

The rack B consists of a toroidal shaped member 24 which is constructed with a number of circularly disposed concentrically arranged rings 25. These rings are connected together through radially extending bars 26 to form a reticulate supporting structure on which the glasses or other dishes to be washed may be placed. The 28 of the rack B are provided with upwardly extending flanges 29 and 3|! by means of which the glasses placed upon the rack are properly positioned and held from engagement with the sides of the housing as the rack is moved. The rings 25, 21 and 28 and the bars 25 all lie in a common 'horizontal plane so as to form a suitable support for the glasses. a

The rack B is rotatably supported on a number of horizontal rollers 3| which are journaled on stub shafts 32 formed with threaded shanks 33 screwed into the rim |2 of the tray l0. These rollers engage the underside of a circular track 34 formed on the underside of the outer ring 28 of the rack 13. The rollers 3| as noted, support the rack in proper position and guide the same for rotation about a vertical axis. To restrain axial movement of the rack B a number of vertically disposed rollers which like therollers 3| are journaled on stub bosses 31 formed on the bottom ll of tray In. These rollers engage the inner surface 38 of a circular annulus 39 formed on one of the circular rings 25 of the rack proper. Rollers 35 hold the rack from horizontal movement and cause the same to rotate about a center situated at'the middle of the said rack. The central portion of the rack within flange 29 is provided with an opening 40 through which the supporting mechanism for of the invention and the water motor 0 are carried. These parts wilf'be subsequently described in detail.

The water motor C is illustrated in detail in Fig. 5 and consists of a case 4| substantially or constructed in any other the chamber 44 into the opening 40 in the 35 are employedthe various sprays rectangular in form. .This case is constructed with a chamber 42 within the same, said case being open at one end designated by thereference numeral 42 and also at the bottom of the same. The chamber 44 is circular at its inner end 43 and is rectangular where the same opens through the wall of the case as designated at 42. Rotatably mounted within the chamber 44 is a rotor 45. This rotor is provided with a hub portion 36 having a rim portion 41 secured thereto. 0n the rim portion 41 are provided a number of blades 48 which are disposed substantially radiallyv and which issue outwardly from the rim portion 41. Two water nozzles 49 and 5!) are mounted in the case 4| and serve to direct water tangentially to the blades 4| causing the rotor .45 to rotate when sufficient water pressure is procured.

The rim portion 41 serves as a fly wheel which is highly advantageous in the operation of the motor. The case lower end thereof through a plate I12 which forms part of a. spray 5| to be presently described and which is attached to said case through the attaching means for the spray proper. The open end 42 of the case communication with the spray 5| which is arranged to extend over the rack B.

For the purpose of supporting the water motor C the same is constructed with flanges 52 which 1 issue outwardly from the case 4| of said motor and which are bolted to a vertical support 53 through machine screws TI. The support 53 consists of a channel member arranged in upright position and extending through the open- 1 ing 40 in the rack B. This channel member is bolted to ears 54 which are cast on the bottom ll of tray l0 and which extend upwardly therefrom. For this purpose bolts 55 are employed which pass through the said ears and said channel member.

The rotor 45 of the water motor C is mounted upon a vertically extending shaft 56 which is journaled at its upper end in case 4|. The rotor is held attached to the shaft 56 through set screws 51 screwed into a hub 58 formed on said rotor. Shaft 56 extends downwardly through rack 29 and is journaled at its lower end in a forked supporting bracket 59 best shown in Fig. 3. This bracket is constructed with a flange 18 which overlies the rear surface of the uprightsupport 53, which flange is bolted thereto through machine screws 16. The bracket 59 carries two spaced arms 60 and SI, the said shaft being journaled in a drilled hole formed in the arm 50. An end thrust bearing 82 for engagement with the lower end of the shaft 55 is mounted in in place therein through a set screw 63. On the shaft 55 between the two arms 50 and 5| is mounted a wo'rm64 which is keyed or pinned to the said shaft in the customary manner. This worm meshes with a worm wheel 66 also carried by the supporting bracket 59. The worm wheel 56 is mounted on a shaft 61 which is journaled in suitable drilled holes in the bracket 59. The shaft 51 extends radially with respect to the axis of the rack B and is journaled at its outer end in a bearing 68. Bearing 58 is attached to a suitable boss H which is formed on the bot- 4| is closed at the 4| brings the arm 6| and is held (ill The screws 16 and 11 and are slidably ably mounted The weight of the rack causes the teeth of the gears 13 and the pinion 12 to mesh with one another whereby a drive is effected between the said shaft 61 and the rack proper.

For the purpose of conducting water to the various sprays of the invention a duct structure 14 is employed which is provided with 'lugs 15 issuing outwardly from the sides of the same. previously referred to at ends of the device pass through the said lugs and the upright support 63. The screws 11 as previously stated are threaded into the case 4| of water motor C while the screws 16 are threaded into the flange 18 of the bracket 59. The duct structure 14 is constructed with two water passageways 80 and 8| which extend throughout the length of the same and which are formed at their upper and lower ends with openings 82 and I34 leading through the rear wall of the said duct structure. At the center of the duct structure is a valve mechanism 83 by means of which cold and hot water may be led to the ducts 80 and 8|.

The valve structure 83 is shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7 and comprises a case 84 cast integral with the duct structure 14. The case 84 is constructed with two oppositely directed transversely extending threaded bosses 85 and 86 which are formed with bores 81 and 88. At the ends of these bores are provided valve seats 89 and 90. Suitable valve heads 9| and 92 are employed which are of the Fuller ball type and are adapted to engage said seats andto close com-, munication with the bores 81 and 88. The bores 81 and 88 communicate through angular passageways 93 and 94 with the passageways 80 and in the duct structure 14.

Attached to the bosses 85 and 86 of the valve the lower and upper structure 83 are two caps 95 and '96 which are threaded to screw upon the threaded ends thereof. These caps are constructed with chambers 91 and 98 within the same which when the valve heads 9| and 92 are opened are brought into communication with the bores 81 and 88. The two caps 95 and 96 terminate in threaded necks 99 and I00 which are constructed with passageways |0| and I02 communicating with the chambers 91 and 98. By means of suitable pipe fittings I03 and I04 sections of pipe I05 and I06 maybe attached to the caps 95 and 96 and brought in communication with the chambers 91 and 98 thereof and water conducted into the two passageways 80 and 8| of duct structure 14. The pipe I05 is connected to a source of cold water while the pipe I06 is connected to a source of hot water.

For operating the valve heads 9| and 92 the following construction is used. The two valve heads 9| and 92 I01 and I08. each two nuts I09 and II 0' between which the valve heads 9| and 92 are mounted. The free ends of the said valve stems which have been indicated at I I I' in Fig. 6 are bifurcated as shown mounted in transverse guideways 2 formed in the center portion of the case 83 and in alignment with the two bores 81 and 88. These two guideways extend into a central circular cavity I I3 in case 83 in which is'rotata disk H4. The bifurcated ends of said valve stem straddle the said disk as shown in Fig. 6. Two pins II-iv and II 6-extend through the bifurcated ends of the said valves and also through-two spiral slots H1 and H8 formed in-the disk. II4. -When; the disk H4 is are supported on valve stems of which has screwed upon it water entering the tubes rotated the said disk through the walls of the slot H1 and II 8 move the valve stems I01 and I08 inwardly and outwardly serving to simultaneously operate both of the valve heads 9| and 92 causing the opening or closing of the two valves as desired. The disk H4 is attached to a spindle I I9 which is journaled at one end in a socket I20 formed in the case Stand at its other end in a bearing block I2| screwed into a threaded neck I22 formed on the case 84. The bearing block I2| serves to close the opening to the cavity H3 in which the disk H4 is mounted. Between the block |2| and a shoulder I23 formed in the case 84 and concentric with the cavity H3 is a metal washer I24 and two packing washers I25. When these washers are compressed through the turning of the bearing block |2| a tight joint is formed between the spindle H9 and the case proper, whereby leakage of water out of the case is prevented. A handle I26 attached to the end of the spindle I 24 through a screw I21 permits of manipulating the valve.

The spray 5| previously referred to for spraying cold water upon the glasses carried on rack B is best shown in Fig. 5.- This spray consists of a rectangular duct I10 formed with a top will I1I, bottom wall H2 and side and end walls I 13, I14 and I15. The duct I10 is open at the end opposite the end I15 and is so situated with respect to the case 4| of motor communicates withthe chamber 44 through the open end 42 thereof. The bottom I12 of the duct I10 underlies the open lower portion of the case 4| so as to completely close the chamber 44 therein. Wall I14 and wall I1| are formed with flanges I16 and I11 which overlie portions.

of thecase 4|. By means of screws I18 threaded into the case 4| and passing through said flanges and the wall I12, the spray 5| is held attached to the case 4|. In the bottom wall I12 of spray 5| is formed a number of open ngs I19 through motor and entering the duct I10 percolates down upon the glasses or other dishes carried by the rack.

In addition to the spray 5| for conducting cold water upon the glasses carried on the rack B other sprays are employed which are situated and connected to the duct structure 14 in the following manner: Theflange 18' of bracketv 59 is constructed with bosses I28 and I29 which a e formed with bores I30 best shown in Fig. 3. These bores communicate with openings I3I in the support 53 which in turn communicate with the passageways .I34 formed in the duct structure 14 and connected to the two passageways 80 and 8| of said duct structure. The two bosses I28 and I 29 have attached to them two tubes I35 and I36 which extend horizontally from said bosses in arearward direction and are situated below the rack B. The two tubes I35 and I38 are plugged'at their ends.

nected to the two tubes I35 and I36 through branch tubes I39 and I40. The sprays I 31 and I38 are provided with apertures I which are directed upwardly and by means of which the I35 and I36 is sprayed upwardly to strike the glasses .carried on the rack and to wash the same from beneath. The two tubes I35 and I38fare themselves constructed with apertures I 42 and I43 which are arranged in an inclined manner so that the sprays of .water coming from theftwo tubes strike one C that said duct Two sprays I 31 and I38 are employed which are con-- which the water discharged from the 3 the said spray.

in contact with the glasses carried by the rack.

Through the agency of these combined sprays the hot and cold water is mixed producing temperate water which is sprayed upon the glasses from below whereby the temperature ,of the glasses is lowered before the'cold water is discharged upon the sam Water for operating the water motor C is procured from the cold water passageway of duct structure 14. The case M of motor C is constructed with a passageway I46 which communicates with an opening I41 in the support 53. This opening is opposite the upper passageway 82 of the duct structure I4 which in turn communicates with the cold water passageway 80 of said duct structure. Within the case 4I are constructed two water passageways I48 and -I49. These passageways both communicate with the passageway munication with the nozzle 50. A tube I50 is attached to the case 4| and brings the passageway I48 into communication with the nozzle 49. The various passageways in the case are constructed by drilling and where drilling necessitatesforming an opening through the case, said opening is closed through a screw I5I. It wil readily be comprehended that when water under pressure is introduced into the passageway I46 the same is discharged through the two nozzles 49 and 50 against the wheel 45 and said wheel caused to rotate. The cold water leaving the water motor is discharged upon the glasses as the rack B travels beneath For washing the glasses, two hot water sprays I53 and I54 are employed which are similar to the sprays I31 and I38. These sprays are connected through branch tubes I55 and I56 with a tube I51, which in turn is secured to a boss I58 formed on the case M. This boss is constructed with apassageway I59 which communicates with an opening port 53. Opening I60 communicates with the passageway 82 leading to the hot water passageway 8| of the duct structure 14. By means of the two sprays I53 and I54 which are situated above the g'asses. hot water is directed downwardly upon the glasses and the washing and heating of the glasses from the exterior is accomplished.

The operation of our invention is as follows: The. device is first mounted upon a suitable support such as a table or the like in a manner so that the head I4 rests upon the same. A suitable hole is drilled in the table to receive the drain I3 which is connected to a hose orother suitable conduit carrying the waste water to the sewer or wherever desired. The hot and cold water pipes I06 and I05 are connected to suitable sources of hot and cold water. When the operator desires to use the machine the handle I26 is turned to the right which causes the two valve stems I01 and I08 to move outwardly and the valve heads 9I and 92 to leave the seats 89 and respectively. This water respectively into the two passageways 80 and 8I. The cold water travels from passageway 80 through openings 82 and I41 into passageway I46. From passageway I46 the water divides, part passing through passageway I49 to nozzle 50 and the remainder passing through passageway I48 and tube I50 to nozzle 49. The

'water leaving said nozzle enters rectangular duct I10 and is discharged downwardly from the spray 5I through the apertures I19, in the wall I12 of I46. Passageway I49. is in com-,

through the spray 5|- I60 in the upright supbrings cold and hot rack B to be rotated through handling of the same.

said duct. Cold water also passes from passageway 80 into tube I35 and is directed into branch tube I39. The cold water entering these two tubes is discharged upwardly from the apertures I42 in tube I35 and from the apertures I4I of spray nozzle I31. In like manner the hot water entering passageway 8I is led into tubes I36 and I51 and from these tubes into branch tubes I40, I55 and I56. From the tube I36 and branch tube I40 hot water is sprayed upwardly, the water being discharged through the apertures I43 in tube I36 and the apertures I4I in spray nozzle I38. Hot water. is also sprayed downwardly from the tubes I55 and I56, the same being discharged from the apertures oi the two spray nozzles I53 and I54. Cold water upon entering the nozzles 49 and 50 of water motor C causes the water motor to operate turning shaft 56 which inturn rotates shaft 61 through the worm 64 and wor'm wheel 66. -This causes the the action of the two gears 12 and 13. Through the reduction of gearing employed; the rack travels at a relatively low rate of speed. Inexplaining the operation of the invention, we have referred to the washing of glasses, though it can be understood that other dishes may also be washed. In use the glasses are inserted in the housing A through opening 23 and are placed upside down upon the rack B. Glasses so placed travel around towardthe right and in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4. As thegglasses pass the spray I38 and the two sprays I53 and I54, hot water is sprayed both upon the exterior and the interior of the glasses, which thoroughly washes the same. As the glasses pass the sprays from the holes I42 and I43 of tubes I35 and I36, the hot and cold water leaving said tubes mixes, producing water more or less tepid which is discharged against the glasses. This somewhat reduces the temperature of the glasses and prevents cracking. As the glasses pass the spray I31 and the spray 5I, cold water is discharged against the same which reduces the temperature of the glasses to a. temperature more nearly equal to that of the beverage to be served in the glasses. When the glasses reach the front of the machine the same will have been washed with hot water and subsequently cooled and are ready to be again used. In the event that further washing is required, the glasses can be left on the rack and allowed to travel several times through the device. As soon as the glasses appearat the'left hand side of the device, the same may be removed and other glasses placed upon the rack and'washed. The washed glasses may be placed on the shelf I8 where the same are readily accessible for use. When the machine is to be shut off the handle I26 is turned to the left which closes both of the valves controlling the flow of hot and cold water. In this manner a-single manipulation is all that is requiredto operate the device.

The-advantages of our invention are manifest. The glasses can be washed without manual With our invention clean water is at all times used so that contamination of the glasses through washing with dirty water is entirely prevented. When the glasses come out of the washer the same are at a suitable temperature so that the glasses are ready for immediateuse which eliminates raising the temperature of -'t he beverage or the subsequent cooling of the glass. Due to the use of temperate water intermediate the hot and cold water sprays den-- 2,082,286 ger of breakage of the glasses is greatly reduced.

Our invention is neat and compact and is highly eificient in operation requiring no electric current for operation andutilizing the .power available from the water used for washing and for moving the glasses through the machine. The device is operated through a single lever which simultaneously turns on both the hot, and cold water. By means of this construction, no adjustments or manipulation are necessary.

.Changes in the specific form of our invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of our invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:'

1; In a machine for washing drinking vessels, a revoluble rack for dishes, a water motor for rotating said rack, said motor being disposed above said rack, said motor having a vertically disposed rotatable shaft extending through and below said rack, a worm on the lower end of said shaft, a rotatable shaft extendinglaterally from said first mentioned shaft below said rack, a. worm wheel on one end of said second shai't meshing with said worm, a pinion on the other end of said second shaft and a gear on said rack for rotating the latter and driven by said pinion.

2. In a machine for washing drinking vessels, 2. tray, a circular rack unobstructed throughout the periphery thereof and mounted for rotation above said tray, said rack having an opening in the'center thereof, a water motor for rotating said rack situated above said rack, the water leaving said motor discharging downwardly upon said rack, said motor having a vertically disposed shaft extending through the opening in said rack and below the same, transmission mechanism driven by said shaft and operating from belowv said rack to rotate the same, and a duct structure for delivering water to said motor, said duct structure extending through the opening insald rack.

, RALEIGH H. GREER, JR.

WALTER F. OHME. JOHN BURGESS. 

